There are charts where there is no really good choice for the Lord of the Geniture, but in that case we can default to the ruler of the ASC if it is no worse than anything else in the chart. What is the default option when there are two good choices? What might be an embarrassment of riches can actually be problematic when using the LoG to determine temperament or directing it for predictions.

There are charts where there is no really good choice for the Lord of the Geniture, but in that case we can default to the ruler of the ASC if it is no worse than anything else in the chart. What is the default option when there are two good choices? What might be an embarrassment of riches can actually be problematic when using the LoG to determine temperament or directing it for predictions.

Does anyone using this technique have a rule for this situation?

As I've wrote above, I've strong Venus and Saturn and both are have strength at AC. While Venus in Taurus in 7th is Sun ruler in diurnal chart, its also ruling Libra AC. But Saturn in Aquarius in 4th getting more points (by Lilli's calculation) at AC, culminating in Libra and ruling triplicity. So, Saturn is almuten of AC.
I would give more chances to Saturn, because it aspecting AC with trine and in sect, while Venus not in sect and oriental, not aspecting AC.

I suppose we need to define LoG and I forgot this thread originated 5 years ago. Lilly defines it, more or less, as the strongest planet in a chart by essential dignity that can act. That means it needs enough accidental dignity to put it in play. For example a planet in triplicity in the 10th might be preferable to a planet in domicile in the 12th. The idea is to pick a strong active planet.

I think Ibn Ezra uses the almutem as the LoG. Almutem is different in that a weak planet that has a great deal of dignity in the ASC degree could be chosen. That surely is indicative of something, but the LoG seems to be less about prediction than it is about potential. The best use of it is made when the native consciously tries to use it. I don't see the value in using a weak planet just because it has lots of dignity in the ASC. It's like hoping for the best results by putting your worst traits on display.

There is a good argument to be made that reversing your worst traits will lead to good things, but using your best traits seems a bit easier and smarter as it will come more naturally.

Theoretically, the least important/likely planet to produce an astrologer would be Mars. Yet, here I am.

Why do you think Mars would necessarily determine vocation, though? LOG is more likely to describe someone's personality and appearance/health/spirit, etc., right? A person's vocation and who they are as a person may be two different things.

In any case, I am also a Mars LOG. Mars in Aries in the 10th, swift, direct (although in a day chart). Mercury in early Taurus in the 11th, swift, direct is a close second, though. I am sure Mars characterizes me very well, and Lilly says it should three-fold, but I would say my other influences add a lot to who I am (Mars might describe my ability to endure hardships and rise above what I was born into, etc. but that is not all that I am).

I suppose we need to define LoG .. Lilly defines it, more or less, as the strongest planet in a chart by essential dignity that can act. That means it needs enough accidental dignity to put it in play. For example a planet in triplicity in the 10th might be preferable to a planet in domicile in the 12th. The idea is to pick a strong active planet.

I think Ibn Ezra uses the almutem as the LoG. Almutem is different in that a weak planet that has a great deal of dignity in the ASC degree could be chosen. That surely is indicative of something, but the LoG seems to be less about prediction than it is about potential. The best use of it is made when the native consciously tries to use it. I don't see the value in using a weak planet just because it has lots of dignity in the ASC. It's like hoping for the best results by putting your worst traits on display.

A common way of assessing planetary strength by essential dignity is using the 5 traditional dignities-domcilie ruler, exaltation ruler, triplicity ruler, term/bound ruler and Face/ decan ruler. Every degree of the zodiac has an Almuten or planet with the most dignity in that degree of the chart. A common medieval pointing system was to assign domcile ruler (5 points), exaltation (4 points), triplicity (3 points), bound/term (2 points), face/decan (1 point).

As an example take someone with an Ascendant at 11 Taurus in a night chart. The Almuten is of that degree is the Moon as it it is the exaltation, triplicity and face ruler. It has 8 points versus the domicile ruler Venus obtaining only 5 points.

Here is an explanation of the difference between essential and accidental dignity:

So the Almuten is quite simply the planet which is strongest by essential dignity in a chart. In some medieval systems the ruler of the nativity is derived that way.

The argument vs a purely Almuten based system is that it ignores the many factors that can prevent a planet expressing its strong essential dignity. For example a planet which is buried in the 12th house, retrograde, combust, out of sect, slow in motion, conjunct Saturn etc.

The Lord of the Geniture on the other hand usually uses many other criteria to assess the strength of a planet such as house placement, direct or retrograde motion, planetary speed, conjunction to malefics/benefics, solar phase, combustion, conjunction to nodes and important fixed stars.

Various systems were used to assess the LOG by essential and accidental dignity in the medieval and renaissance period. One of the most popular is by the 17th century astrologer William Lilly.

The objection to this kind of counting system is that we are comparing apples to pears a lot of the time. I personally shy away from such a reductionist approach but its maybe a matter of temperament. I supose it depends how much Virgo you have in your chart. I tend to also factor in sect which Lilly's system omits.

Mark_________________‘’As thou conversest with the heavens, so instruct and inform thy minde according to the image of Divinity…’’ William Lilly

I would say your Venus would be LoG if it weren't for Algol. Venus is in house dignity, angular on the DSC, in sect, occidental, direct, although a tad slow. Average speed of Venus is 1°12' and yours is 1°03. Your Sun is a good candidate, but it's out of sect. It's swift, in the 5th and in exaltation, but I'd vote for Mars. It's swift, oriental, in sect (although halb), in exaltation, face and term, and in the 2nd (tied with Sun there anyway). So Mars is my vote. I didn't use a computer program or anything - just in my head - so I could be wrong.

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